Thread: Have the years flown that quickly???

I met my old boss the other day while on training at a different site. He used to scare me, but 8 years later, he speaks to me as an equal, sharing life experiences, management kinda jokes, etc. This kinda weirded me out, because back in the day I was properly scared of him, but now it seems we're mates since I've done some career development and landed my new position.

Through his own admission, he'd never had a mature-aged apprentice before and wasn't sure how to handle me. Given the elapsed time together in the past since we last met, and having done a similar job to him in NT, we've suddenly struck a chord. Spending an hour driving him through Melbourne in a luxury rig the other day and sharing all kinds of stories, experiences and advice (we've both moved from the same marque to another same marque), was a unique and awesome experience. That time together is something which I will never forget, and thoroughly enjoyed!

Suddenly the scariest boss I've ever had, has become a genuine friend and someone who is happy to be my mentor, and can approach at any time. Likewise with the boss at my current workplace...we've all been trained the same from the same marque, and he's worked with countless people I know. He's 100% approachable as a mate rather than a boss, and has got his staff to be mouldable around me. Being allowed to use my best judgement and bounce ideas is mind-blowing!

If that's not enough to make me wonder where the years have flown, being reminded by a friend of the days back working on certain vehicles as an apprentice, and being in charge was scary! I had no idea how quickly years and opportunities had ripped by!

The lesson is work hard, network, and eventually rewards will come to those who are patient!

The interaction between us made a lot of his staff a bit wary of me, but once explained it put things in perspective and gave incentive to work hard. Given my promotions, they saw something to aspire towards. It was great to see the youngsters in the workshop suddenly asking questions and really 'sparking' up!

Not exactly the same, but during my visit to the USA last year I met my boss from 1969-70 in Los Angeles. He made a special trip there from Bakersfield to meet me. Forty years ago, as with you we were certainly not "friends", but this is the case now.

Then in Houston I met my boss from 1964. We were closer then than I was with my later boss - I took over his job when he returned to the USA.

John